Stiff Little Fingers, ‘Barbed Wire Love’
For St. Patrick’s Day, dive deep into popular modern music from the Emerald Isle
St. Patrick’s Day is upon us. If you’re hoping to find your holiday mood, or need a soundtrack for the day itself, consider diving deep into the modern side of Irish popular music. Folk standards and more obviously Celtic-infused rock have their place, but 20th- and 21st-century Ireland are rich in sonics. These artists – and their songs – will get you at least partway there, and fling open the doors to more great sounds.
hhIrish home: Belfast
The band’s run: 1977-1982, 1987-present
What you’ll hear: Arriving via 1979’s “Inflammable Material” record, this cut showcases the influential punk band’s capacity for crafting great guitar licks and deceptively bassy grooves. Singer Jake Burns plays it cool while expressing the particular prick of the title phenomenon, and a delightful middle section embodies punk’s connection with early rock ’n’ roll.
Thin Lizzy, ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’
Irish home: Dublin
The band’s run: 1969-1983, 1994-present
What you’ll hear: From 1977’s “Bad Reputation,” this track opens with serious bass, then widens its considerable groove to frame a killer vocal from the late Phil Lynott; Lynott somehow manages to create a new sweet spot between the soulful croon of countryman Van Morrison and his own (good) reputation as an arena-rock Pied Piper.
U2, ‘Ultraviolet (Light My Way)’
Irish home: Dublin
The band’s run: 1976-present What you’ll hear: An unsung “Achtung Baby” classic from 1991, this track exemplifies what makes U2 great with its dynamic shifts, Edge-ushered guitar grooves and Bono’s prayerful lyrics.